friction
Americannoun
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frictions
plural
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Physics. surface resistance to relative motion, as of a body sliding or rolling.
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the rubbing of the surface of one body against that of another.
Rubber on pavement has more friction than steel wheel on steel rail.
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dissension or conflict between people, nations, etc., because of differing ideas, wishes, etc..
Friction between family members can escalate during a heat wave, as extreme weather can cause tempers to fray.
- Synonyms:
- contention, antagonism, clash, dissidence, discord
noun
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a resistance encountered when one body moves relative to another body with which it is in contact
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the act, effect, or an instance of rubbing one object against another
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disagreement or conflict; discord
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phonetics the hissing element of a speech sound, such as a fricative
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perfumed alcohol used on the hair to stimulate the scalp
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A force on objects or substances in contact with each other that resists motion of the objects or substances relative to each other.
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◆ Static friction arises between two objects that are not in motion with respect to each other, as for example between a cement block and a wooden floor. It increases to counterbalance forces that would move the objects, up to a certain maximum level of force, at which point the objects will begin moving. It is measured as the maximum force the bodies will sustain before motion occurs.
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◆ Kinetic friction arises between bodies that are in motion with respect to each other, as for example the force that works against sliding a cement block along a wooden floor. Between two hard surfaces, the kinetic friction is usually somewhat lower than the static friction, meaning that more force is required to set the objects in motion than to keep them in motion.
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See also drag
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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interfrictionnoun
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nonfrictionnoun
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self-frictionnoun
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frictionaladjective
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frictionlessadjective
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frictionlesslyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of friction
First recorded in 1575–85; from Latin frictiōn-, stem of frictiō “a rubbing,” from frict(us) “rubbed” (past participle of fricāre “to rub”) + -iō -ion
Explanation
When one thing rubs and grates against another, it causes friction. That can include two clashing personalities or simply a match striking the matchbox and causing a spark. A form of resistance, friction is caused by a chafing movement between two or more objects. In the 18th century, friction meant specifically a “resistance to motion,” but a few decades later grew to also describe disagreement or conflict. The friction between the brakes and your tires helps stop your car when you're going too fast. Not speeding in the first place can help avoid friction between you and the traffic police.
Vocabulary lists containing friction
Word Generation Science - Energy
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Force and Motion (Mechanics) - Middle School
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Force and Motion (Mechanics) - Introductory
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
If Mamdani has so far shown a pragmatic streak in how he governs that can feel at odds with the loftier promises of his campaign, some friction with his most hard-line voters might be inevitable.
From Slate ● Oct. 15, 2026
Behind the dispute there may lie another source of friction.
From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026
The latest figures come amid mounting trade friction with the European Union, which has pressed Beijing to address a widening trade imbalance and flagged concerns over competition from Chinese manufacturers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026
Your husband appears to have had an easy life, without much financial friction, given that his education was paid for by his parents.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 7, 2026
He was also quite kind to Miss Trixie; there was hardly any friction in the office.
From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
On the one hand, the high rates may be the result of temporary supply-chain frictions and energy insecurity.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 15, 2026
The U.K. bond market has been particularly sensitive to global bond market frictions since 2022, when then-Prime Minister Liz Truss shocked investors with a plan for unfunded tax cuts.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026
The book explores the performance of niceness, class, intergenerational frictions and how technology makes vengeance not just possible but almost exceedingly easy in the modern age.
From Slate ● Aug. 20, 2026
Sir Keir had wanted to seal a deal to row back many of the post-Brexit frictions on food and farm trade that have impacted the cross-Channel trade flows.
From BBC ● Jun. 23, 2026
Psychically, it was a rabbit hole, a midden, hot with the frictions of tightly packed life, reeking with emotion.
From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
